Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
I’ve just discovered the new.. Jamie Vardy
PROUD MOMENT FOR STAR’S ACADEMY AS STRIKER RESCUED FROM SCRAPHEAP GETS FIRST PRO CONTRACT
JAMIE VARDY believes he has unearthed the next big thing from football’s non-league scrapheap. England and Leicester striker Vardy has spent some of his summer overseeing his V9 Academy, which gives rejects another shot at glory. His set-up showcased 42 hopefuls in front of 60 scouts at Manchester City academy’s firstteam campus. It led to striker Danny Newton (above) yesterday clinching a contract at League Two Stevenage. The 26-year-old was out of contract at Conference North side Tamworth, where he scored 34 goals last season. The forward, nicknamed The Wasp, has been employed in a factory in Leicester as he juggled work with part-time football. But now he has landed his first professional contract as he bids to follow in the footsteps of Vardy, who set up his academy with his agent John Morris. Vardy, released by Sheffield Wednesday as a teenager, said: “When John told me that Danny had received an offer from Stevenage I was buzzing. “He was one of the first players we recruited to the academy and he seems to have had a similar journey to myself.” Vardy fired Leicester to the Premier League title in 2016 with 24 goals. Foxes signed him in 2012 after he had grafted through nonleague via Stocksbridge, Halifax and Fleetwood. Five other players from his academy this summer have been invited to pre-season training with professional clubs after impressing at a five-day trial with V9. Morris said: “The academy has proved that there are league players within the non-leagues. “Danny is proof that it is never too late to fulfil your dream of being a professional footballer. “We are sure more V9 Academy hopefuls will follow Danny’s footsteps into professional football. The academy has put the players firmly in the shop window and given them a fantastic learning experience which will benefit their future careers. “The players were excellent throughout the week and deserve to be given an opportunity in the professional game.” The hopefuls were split into three teams of 14 players and worked with coaches like Chris Ramsey, Alan Stubbs and Robbie Stockdale. They had guest lectures with Norwich City sporting director Stuart Webber and sport psychologist Professor Jim Mckenna, and a masterclass with former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen.